This week our reading will have us finishing up the book of I Samuel, going entirely through the book of II Samuel and dipping into I Kings with the first chapter.
The book of I Samuel ends with the death of Jonathan and King Saul. That story continues in II Samuel. In chapter 1, David hears of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and lifts up a beautiful song of lament over their lives. Chapter 2 finds David being anointed king over Judah and the next few chapters show the problems between the house of David and Saul before David is anointed king over Israel in chapter 5. Chapters 6-8 detail some of the early victories and the establishment of David's kingdom. But chapter 9 is my favorite. It's the story of David and Mephibosheth - one of Jonathan's descendants - and it is a rare story of amazing grace. Read it. Put yourself in the place of Mephibosheth. Read it again and put yourself in the place of David. It's remarkable.
The focus of this latter half of the book deals with the weaknesses and failures of David's reign as king. Specifically we find here the account of David's adultery with Bathsheba and complicity in the murder of her husband (chapters 10-12) as well as David's difficulties with his children and the loss of Amnon and Absalom (chapter 13-20). The book wraps up with some final reflections on David's reign (chapters 21-24).
Next up on the agenda is I Kings. Just as with the books of I and II Samuel, the books of I and II Kings were originally one long unbroken narrative. I Kings begins with the succession of Solomon as king after David.
Here is the schedule:
12, Sunday: I Samuel 29 - II Samuel 1
13, Monday: II Samuel 2-5
14, Tuesday: II Samuel 6-9
15, Wednesday: II Samuel 10-13
16, Thursday; II Samuel 14-17
17, Friday: II Samuel 18-21
18, Saturday: II Samuel 22 - I Kings 1
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Blessings,
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